Description
This Seafood Mac & Cheese recipe combines tender elbow macaroni with creamy, cheesy sauce and succulent seafood like shrimp and crab, baked to golden perfection. It’s a rich, comforting dish perfect for seafood lovers looking for a decadent twist on classic mac and cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (or pasta of choice)
Cheese Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk (warm)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Seafood
- 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled, deveined, and chopped
- 1/2 cup lump crab meat (fresh or canned, drained)
Topping & Garnish
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (optional topping)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and for easy serving.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make Roux: In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour and whisk continuously for 1–2 minutes to form a smooth roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Add Dairy: Gradually whisk in the warm whole milk and heavy cream until the mixture is smooth. Continue cooking and stirring frequently for 5–7 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Incorporate Cheeses and Spices: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the shredded sharp cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Old Bay seasoning, salt, and black pepper until the cheeses melt completely and the sauce is smooth.
- Fold in Pasta and Seafood: Gently fold the cooked pasta, chopped shrimp, and lump crab meat into the cheese sauce, combining thoroughly without breaking the seafood.
- Assemble and Top: Pour the creamy seafood mac and cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly on top if using for a crunchy crust.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown for a perfectly cooked casserole.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven, garnish with chopped parsley, and serve hot for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use a combination of sharp and mild cheeses.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or extra Old Bay seasoning.
- Using fresh seafood is ideal, but canned crab meat works well for convenience.
- Breadcrumb topping is optional but adds a pleasant crunchy texture.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness, or microwaved gently.
